Richard Gutierrez aboard the Kapuso float during the city parade

MANILA, Philippines -- Tacloban City became Kapuso Country when it celebrated Sangyaw Festival recently when Kapuso celebrities provided star power to the city’s festivities.

Kicking-off the celebration was the Senior Citizen’s Night held at Tacloban City Astrodome with “Futbolilits’” Ehra Madrigal and Rey Valera. This was followed by a “Balik-Tacloban” (Balikbayan’s Night) at the Balyuan Convention Center which featured Party Pilipinas’ mainstay Jolina Magdangal.

On June 29, there was no denying the Kapuso fever that swept Tacloban, reaching even its neighboring cities and municipalities, as “Captain Barbell” stars – led by Richard Gutierrez – participated in the city’s Sangyaw Float Parade to the delight of thousands of excited Taclobanons.

Joining Richard on the Kapuso float were fellow “Captain Barbell” stars Michelle Madrigal, TJ Trinidad, and Ervic Vijandre.

In the evening, an estimated 8,000 Kapusong Taclobanons joined in the fun during the Kapuso Night held at Robinson’s Place. Adding more star power to the event were “Party Pilipinas’” Ogie Alcasid and Kyla, plus Jillian Ward.

“This is the first time that GMA Network has participated in Tacloban City’s Sangyaw Festival. GMA Regional TV is overwhelmed with the positive response shown by our Kapusong Taclobanon,” Oliver Amoroso, GMA Network’s AVP for Regional Marketing and Sales, said.

The event will be shown in “The Kapuso Sangyaw TV Special” airing on July 24 at 8:30 a.m. through GMA Network’s regional stations in Cebu, Dagupan, Naga, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and General Santos.

Shine! offers tutorial, music lessons

Parents who are unable to give a hundred percent of their time in guiding their children’s academic performance usually turn to tutorial schools.

To ensure high-quality education, Shine! Dot.Com Tutorial Enrichment and Music School hires tutors from UP, Ateneo and La Salle.

Shine! also offers home tutorials.

Branches are located at the Celebrity Sports Club and Kamuning, Quezon City.

For its enrichment classes, Atty. Dot Gancayco, owner of the school, announced that for those aged 9 to 90, Shine! is offering a “Creative Writing Workshop” on Aug. 6 and 13, from 1-5 p.m. Their “Preparing for Your Dream European Tour” seminar is on Sept. 3, also from 1-5 p.m. These will be held at the Celebrity Sports Club.

SM launches Film Literacy Program

SM Cinema launched its Center for New Cinema, which aims to utilize SM theaters as alternative classrooms for review centers, workshops, stage plays, and film reviews during the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. slot at SM City Manila.

Part of this is a Film Literacy Program held in cooperation with award winning filmmaker Nick Deocampo and the Department of Education. Deocampo has prepared a Film Literacy Kit, which includes lectures on critically acclaimed films like Joel Lamangan’s “The Flor Contemplacion Story,” Brillante Mendoza’s “Foster Child,” Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s “Jose Rizal,” Lupita Concio’s “Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo,” Deocampo’s “Memories of Old Manila,” Gerardo de Leon’s “Sisa,” and Mike Alcarazen’s “Batas Militar.”

The lesson also includes indie movies by Eddie Garcia, Eddie Romero, Rory Quintos, Raymond Red, Jose Mari Avellana, Mike de Leon, Ishmael Bernal, and Lino Brocka, among others.

Secretary of Education Brother Armin Luistro and Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim were the guests of honor during the launch.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Thursday, July 14, go to PLDT/TV5 big boss Manny Pangilinan, Kitchie Benedicto-Paulino, Roselle Monteverde-Teo, Rudy Bediones, Lucita Soriano, Susan de Belen, Romy Suzara, Nerissa G. Cabral, Dr. Merly T. Tan, former Caloocan Vice Mayor Nancy Quimpo, Mizbee Salvador, Mila Marquez, and Esperanza Palma Orpiano who turns 104 today… Belated b-day greetings to Gina de Luna Joveres (July 13)...